The Bhonsles were a Maratha dynastyNagpur, Satara, and Kolhapur . They were descendants of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and played a crucial role in the Maratha expansion across India . The Nagpur Bhonsles fought against the British but later became a British princely state, while the Satara Bhonsles were dethroned .
Dynasty: Bhonsle Dynasty (Maratha Empire)Founder: Raghoji Bhonsle (Nagpur), Shivaji Maharaj (Satara)Capitals: Satara, Kolhapur, NagpurMajor Wars: Anglo-Maratha Wars, battles against the Mughals, Portuguese , and BritishMajor Rulers: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Raghoji Bhonsle I, Appa Sahib BhonsleEnd of Independence: 1818 (Nagpur annexed by the British), 1848 (Satara annexed by the British)Last Ruler: Pratap Singh Bhonsle (Satara, dethroned in 1848), Raghoji III Bhonsle (Nagpur, annexed in 1853)
Branches of the Bhonsle Dynasty Branch Region Capital Founder Satara Bhonsles Western Maharashtra Satara Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Kolhapur Bhonsles Southern Maharashtra Kolhapur Shivaji II Nagpur Bhonsles Central India Nagpur Raghoji Bhonsle I
1. Satara Bhonsles (1674–1848) – The Chhatrapatis
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (1674–1680) established the Maratha Empire .His successors, Sambhaji , Rajaram, and ShahuSatara .
Chhatrapati Shahu (1713–1749) appointed Peshwas to govern the empire , reducing the Chhatrapatis to figureheads.In 1848, the British annexed Satara under the Doctrine of Lapse .
Major Satara Rulers Ruler Years of Rule Major Achievements Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj 1674–1680 Founder of the Maratha Empire. Sambhaji Maharaj 1681–1689 Fought against Aurangzeb , executed by Mughals. Rajaram Maharaj 1689–1700 Continued the war against Aurangzeb. Chhatrapati Shahu 1707–1749 Established the Peshwa system, shifting power to Pune. Pratap Singh Bhonsle 1818–1839 Last ruler of Satara, dethroned by the British.
2. Kolhapur Bhonsles (1707–1947) – The Rival Chhatrapatis
Kolhapur became a separate Maratha state in 1707 .Shivaji II, a descendant of Shivaji Maharaj, ruled Kolhapur .Fought against the British but later became a British protectorate .Kolhapur remained a princely state until Indian independence (1947) .
Major Kolhapur Rulers Ruler Years of Rule Major Achievements Shivaji II 1710–1714 First ruler of Kolhapur. Shahaji II 1838–1870 Strengthened administration under British rule . Shahu Maharaj 1894–1922 Social reformer, introduced reservations for lower castes.
3. Nagpur Bhonsles (1730–1853) – The Central Indian Marathas
Raghoji Bhonsle I (1730–1755) established the Nagpur Kingdom. Expanded Maratha control over Bengal, Odisha, and parts of Madhya Pradesh. Fought against the British in the Anglo-Maratha Wars. Nagpur was annexed by the British in 1853 under the Doctrine of Lapse.
Major Nagpur Bhonsle Rulers Ruler Years of Rule Major Achievements Raghoji Bhonsle I 1730–1755 Founder of the Nagpur kingdom, expanded Maratha rule in Central India. Janoji Bhonsle 1755–1772 Continued Maratha expansion. Raghoji Bhonsle II 1788–1816 Fought in the Anglo-Maratha Wars, lost to the British. Appa Sahib Bhonsle 1816–1818 Defeated by the British in the Third Anglo-Maratha War . Raghoji III Bhonsle 1818–1853 Last ruler of Nagpur, kingdom annexed by the British.
Bhonsle Administration and Policies 1. Military Power
Maintained large armies of cavalry and infantry. Participated in major battles across India.
2. Revenue and Governance
Collected Chauth (25% tax) and Sardeshmukhi (10% tax) from Mughal territories. Administered vast territories in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha.
3. Relations with the British
Initially fought against the British in the Anglo-Maratha Wars. Nagpur and Satara were annexed by the British in the 19th century. Kolhapur remained a princely state under British rule.
Anglo-Maratha Wars and the Decline of Bhonsle Power
Satara was annexed by the British in 1848 under the Doctrine of Lapse. Nagpur was annexed in 1853, ending Bhonsle rule.
Comparison: Bhonsles vs. Holkars vs. Scindias vs. Gaekwads Feature Bhonsles (Nagpur & Satara) Holkars (Indore)Scindias (Gwalior)Gaekwads (Baroda)Founder Raghoji Bhonsle (Nagpur) Malhar Rao Holkar Ranoji Scindia Pilaji Rao Gaekwad Capital Nagpur, Satara Indore Gwalior Baroda Major Ruler Shivaji Maharaj, Raghoji Bhonsle I Ahilyabai Holkar Mahadji Scindia Sayajirao Gaekwad III Role in Anglo-Maratha Wars Fought British, lost Nagpur in 1853 Fought British, lost Indore in 1818 Lost Delhi in 1803, became British allies Became British allies after 1802 End of Independence 1853 (Nagpur), 1848 (Satara) 1818 1803 1947 (Merged with India)
Key Facts for Quick Revision
Bhonsles ruled Satara, Kolhapur, and Nagpur. Founder of Nagpur Bhonsles = Raghoji Bhonsle I (1730). Satara was annexed by the British in 1848. Nagpur was annexed in 1853 under the Doctrine of Lapse. Kolhapur remained a princely state until 1947.
MCQs on Bhonsles 1. Who founded the Nagpur Bhonsle kingdom? Answer: B) Raghoji Bhonsle I
2. When was Satara annexed by the British? Answer: 1848
3. Who was the last ruler of Nagpur? Answer: Raghoji III Bhonsle
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